Waveform separator apparatus and method for detecting leakage current in high voltage direct current power systems

ABSTRACT

A waveform separator system for determining DC leakage current flowing through an insulating structure in a high voltage direct current power system, wherein the DC leakage current is a composite DC current comprising one or more high magnitude momentary spikes, and having a DC component and an AC component includes: (1) a waveform separator configured to receive the composite DC current flowing through the insulating structure and to separate the composite DC current into corresponding direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC) components wherein the AC component has a first rate of change, and wherein the DC component has a second rate of change, and wherein the first rate of change is greater than the second rate of change; (2) at least one comparator configured to receive the AC component and produce at least one corresponding digital signal; and (3) a processor configured to: (a) receive the at least one corresponding digital signal and the DC component, (b) analyze the at least one corresponding digital signal and the DC component, and; (c) determine a resultant leakage current flowing through the insulating structure.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/429,459 filed Dec. 2, 2016 and Canadian PatentApplication No. 2,950,506 filed Dec. 2, 2016, both entitled “WaveformSeparator Apparatus and Method for Detecting Leakage Current in HighVoltage Direct Current Power Systems”.

FIELD

Embodiments described herein relate to an apparatus and method formeasuring leakage current and, more particularly, to an apparatus andmethod for measuring leakage current flowing through insulatingstructures in high voltage direct current power systems.

BACKGROUND

Electrical power systems comprise several insulating structures, forexample outdoor insulators. Energized lines are supported from supportstructures such as poles or towers by means of outdoor insulators. Suchinsulators are made of dielectric material such as porcelain, glass orother suitable material. These insulators tend to deteriorate over aperiod of time. One of the main causes for insulator deterioration isdielectric contamination. Outdoor insulators are continuously exposed tothe environment and contaminants such as salt, dust, sand and otherindustrial pollutants tend to deposit or build-up on the insulatorsurface as a dry layer. The dry contaminant layer becomes conductiveunder light wetting conditions such as light rain or morning dew therebyreducing the dielectric performance of the insulator. Since one end ofthe insulator is energized, and the other end is grounded, reduceddielectric performance results in current flowing through the insulatorto the ground. This current is typically referred to as leakage current.When the contamination is severe, leakage current can reach unacceptablyhigh levels. When the leakage current exceeds a highest permissiblevalue for a particular voltage class, it may result in a conditionreferred to as flashover. Flashovers create high temperature electricalarcs which may endanger line personnel, cause power outages and damageequipment.

Measurement and analysis of leakage current flowing through an outdoorinsulator may be used to determine insulator degradation andconsequently predict a flashover condition. Typically, a peak or RMSvalue of the leakage current is determined. This value is thencorrelated with flashover voltages to predict flashover. In an attemptto prevent flashover, leakage current flowing through insulators isperiodically measured and analyzed.

Other predominant insulating structures in an electrical power systeminclude an aerial boom or other support structures such as scaffolding,ladders or lattice towers. These structures enable workers to reach theoverhead energized lines for conducting barehand work on the energizedlines. Such structures include electrically insulating sections, whichensure that there is no electrical path from the energized lines toground. The insulating structures allow a worker to work directly on theenergized lines. If the electrical resistance of such insulatingstructures breaks down due to factors stated above, a worker couldexperience electric shock and injury.

There are several methods for detecting flow of leakage current throughsuch insulating structures. Some known methodologies involvede-energizing the transmission line prior to testing. The methodologiesdiscussed herein are directed to detection under live-conditions. Inother words, the transmission lines are energized and not de-energizedprior or during detection.

In conventional high voltage alternating current (AC) power systems,leakage current through insulating structures may be measured using ACmultimeters such as those made by Fluke™ and a variety of othermanufacturers. Such AC multimeters may be operably coupled to aninsulator through electrical leads for measuring leakage current flowingthrough the insulator.

In recent years, transmission of power using high voltage direct current(HVDC) technology has been accepted as an alternative to conventional ACpower systems. Insulating structures used in HVDC power systems are alsosusceptible to the dielectric degradation outlined above. However, dueto fundamental differences between alternating current and directcurrent (bi-directional vs. unidirectional respectively), AC currentmeasuring devices used in AC power systems for detection of leakagecurrent cannot be safely used in a HVDC system.

A scientific paper titled “Insulator Leakage Current Monitoring:Challenges For High Voltage Direct Current Transmission Lines” by M.Roman et al. articulates the differences between AC and direct current(DC) power systems. It also corroborates that there is no direct mappingbetween AC and DC leakage current measurement devices.

DC meters for the measurement of leakage currents in low powerapplications, for example under 6 kv, are known. The sampling rate ofsuch DC meters may be typically in the range of 60 to 100 Hz.

During Applicant's attempts to measure leakage current in HVDC systems,Applicant observed that leakage current is a composite DC currentcomprising transient spikes or discharges. Such discharges are high inmagnitude and may be best described as “short duration” or “momentary”or “very narrow” spikes. In other words, the discharges are high inmagnitude but typically extremely short in duration. Typically, suchspikes have been observed by Applicant to have duration of less than amicrosecond to a few hundredths of a second depending upon the energy ofthe spike. The greater the amplitude and duration, higher the energy.High energy spikes that exist for hundredths of a second are dangerousand represent an immediate risk of flashover. For this reason the lowerenergy short duration spikes are most critical to detect as they providea safer and early warning.

In Applicant's experience, as the spikes are momentary, conventional DCmeters do not react to such spikes and the spikes are not registered.Applicant believes that in order to capture such momentary spikes,conventional DC meters would have to be modified so that they havesignificantly higher than conventional sampling rates, for example, atleast 10,000 samples/second (10 KHz). In addition these recorded spikeswould need to be cataloged, and displayed to a user in a meaningful andtimely way.

Therefore, there is a need for a relatively simple and inexpensive DCleakage current detecting apparatus or meter, without the need for avery high sampling rate, may be used with several types of electricallyinsulating structures in HVDC systems to indicate accurately leakagecurrent voltage spikes flowing through such structures and displaydetected leakage current in a meaningful and timely way to an operatoror user.

SUMMARY

DC leakage current consists entirely of fast DC transients (spikes).Leakage current spikes are random in occurrence, amplitude and duration.Polarity of these transients depends on the polarity of DC transmissionline. The average value (DC) of these spikes depends on theiroccurrence, amplitude and width. Duration of the spikes is dominantlyvery short, in range of few microseconds or less. A samplingAnalog/Digital converter (ADC) cannot accurately sample leakage currentwithout an extremely high sample rate, probably in 100 Ks/sec, whichlikely would not be practically possible. Knowing both average value ofthe spikes and their number/sec gives us an indication of incomingcatastrophic breakdown/flashover. In the present invention leakagecurrent is separated into two components using analog filters andamplifiers. The DC component is sampled by a microcontroller ADC at afairly low rate and further processed. The AC components are digitizedby a voltage comparator, and in particular there are positive andnegative current spike comparators. The comparators threshold level isadjustable and gives 0-5V pulses proportional to the leakage currentspikes. A microprocessor counts pulses coming from the comparators. Onlyone of the comparators produces digital output pulses. Which comparatordepends on the polarity of the leakage current. This provides formeasurement of either polarity of the leakage current without swappinginput or having to switch.

Accordingly in one aspect, a waveform separator system for determiningDC leakage current flowing through an insulating structure in a highvoltage direct current power system is provided. The DC leakage currentis a composite DC current comprising one or more high magnitudemomentary spikes, and having a DC component and an AC component. Thesystem comprises a waveform separator configured to receive thecomposite DC current flowing through the insulating structure and toseparate the composite DC current into corresponding direct current (DC)and alternating current (AC) component. The AC component has a firstrate of change, and the DC component has a second rate of change. Thefirst rate of change is greater than the second rate of change. Thesystem further comprises at least one comparator configured to receivethe AC component and produce at least one corresponding digital signal.The system also includes a processor configured to: (a) receive the atleast one corresponding digital signal and the DC component, (b) analyzethe at least one corresponding digital signal and the DC component, and(c) determine a resultant leakage current flowing through the insulatingstructure.

Accordingly in another aspect, a method for determining DC leakagecurrent flowing through an insulating structure in a high voltage directcurrent power system is provided. The DC leakage current is a compositeDC current comprising one or more high magnitude momentary spikes, andhaving DC components and AC components. The method comprises separatingthe composite DC current into its slow-moving direct current (DC)component and fast-moving alternating current (AC) component. The methodalso comprises analyzing the fast-moving AC component and producing atleast one digital signal corresponding to the fast-moving AC component.Further, the method comprises analyzing the at least one correspondingdigital signal and the slow-moving DC component for determining aresultant leakage current flowing through the insulating structure.

Accordingly in another aspect, a method for determining DC currentleaking through a dielectric material is provided. The dielectricmaterial is electrically coupled to an energized power line conductingDC current. The DC current leaking through the dielectric material is acomposite DC current comprising one or more high magnitude momentaryspikes, and having a DC component and an AC component. The methodcomprises separating the composite DC current into its direct current(DC) component and alternating current (AC) component. The method alsocomprises analyzing the AC component and producing at least one digitalsignal corresponding to the AC component. Further, the method comprisesanalyzing the at least one corresponding digital signal and the DCcomponent for determining a resultant DC current leaking through thedielectric material.

Accordingly in another aspect, a process is provided. The processcomprises providing an energized DC electrical line above an Earthensurface. The process also comprises locating a first end of asubstantially electrically insulating member proximate the energized DCelectrical line and locating a second end of the substantiallyelectrically insulating member proximate the Earthen surface. Inaddition, the process comprises providing, in series between theinsulating member and the Earthen surface, a DC current meter formeasuring a composite DC current leaking through the insulating member.Further, the process comprises determining a resultant leakage currentpassing through the insulating member using the DC current meter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a representative waveform of a composite DC current flowingthrough an insulating structure in a HVDC system;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating one embodiment of an apparatusfor measuring leakage current flowing through an insulating structure ina high voltage direct current (HVDC) power system;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating further details of the apparatusof FIG. 1;

FIGS. 4a and 4b are representative waveforms of the DC and AC componentsof a composite DC current leaking through the insulating structure andbeing processed by the apparatus of FIGS. 2 and 3, FIG. 4adiagrammatically representing the nature of the DC component of thecomposite DC current and FIG. 4b diagrammatically representing thenature of the AC component of the composite DC current;

FIGS. 5a and 5b are representative waveforms of the negative andpositive pulses of the AC component of FIG. 4b , FIG. 5a representingthe negative pulses and FIG. 5b representing the positive pulses;

FIG. 6 is a perspective external view of the apparatus of FIG. 2 encasedwithin a casing or housing to promote portability;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a proposed prototype embodiment of theapparatus of FIGS. 2 and 3;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 6 located in anin-use location to monitor current leaking through an insulated boomelectrically coupled to an energized high voltage conductor;

FIG. 9 is a diagram depicting insulating components to which theapparatus of FIG. 6 may be electrically coupled to in order to monitorcurrent leaking through them;

FIG. 9a is an interior view of the insulated boom of FIG. 8 showinglocation of one or more of the insulating components depicted in FIG. 9;and

FIG. 10 is a view of an insulating ladder arranged in contact with anenergized high voltage conductor and the apparatus of FIG. 6 formeasuring DC current leaking through the insulating ladder;

FIG. 11 is a view of an insulating scaffolding arranged in contact withan energized high voltage conductor and the apparatus of FIG. 6 formeasuring DC current leaking through the insulating scaffolding; and

FIG. 12 is a view of an insulating hot stick used during replacement ofan outdoor insulator associated with an energized high voltageconductor, the apparatus of FIG. 6 being electrically coupled to thesystem for measuring current leaking through the insulating componentsof the system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following paragraphs describe an apparatus to accurately measure,indicate and process leakage current flowing through insulatingstructures in an energized high voltage direct current (HVDC) powersystem. Examples of insulating structures include, but are not limitedto, outdoor insulators, aerial booms, insulating scaffolding, insulatinghot sticks, hydraulic lines, fiber optic cables or any other structurewhich may be designed and known to be an insulating structure to theextent its material permits it to be dielectric, insulating orinsulative.

As explained in the Background above, Applicant has observed that DCcurrent leaking through insulating structures in HVDC systems is in theform of a composite DC current containing one or more high magnitude“short duration” or “momentary” or “very narrow” random spikes. Awaveform representative of the composite DC current flowing through suchinsulating structures is illustrated in FIG. 1.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, apparatus 10 comprises a waveformseparator 12, at least one voltage comparator 14 and a processor 16. Thewaveform separator 12 is configured to receive the composite DC currentflowing through an insulating structure 18 in a HVDC system. In oneembodiment and with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, a current sensingcircuit 20 may be used to measure the composite DC current leakingthrough the insulating structure 18. The current sensing circuit 20 isoperatively coupled to the insulating structure 18 and the waveformseparator 12. Examples of the current sensing circuit 20 include, andare not limited to one or more high precision shunts or shunt resistors(not shown) which receive the composite DC current and output a voltagecorresponding to the received composite DC current. The one or moreshunt resistors may be associated with one or more amplifiers whichamplify the voltage across the one or more shunt resistors to a levelthat enables further processing by the waveform separator 12.

Current measurements may be taken or measured at almost any frequency,such as from 10 measurements per second to 1000 or more measurements persecond.

As will be explained in detail in the following paragraphs, theinsulating structure 18 may comprise a single insulating structure ormultiple insulating structures. In the case of multiple insulatingstructures, in one embodiment, an electrical collection point may beestablished and composite DC current leaking through the electricalcollection point may be sensed for conduction to the waveform separator12 for further processing.

FIGS. 4a and 4b diagrammatically represent the nature of the DCcomponent and the AC component of the composite DC current,respectively. The AC component may be described as having a first rateof change and the DC component may be described as having a second rateof change. The rate of change of the AC and DC components depends on amultitude of factors including voltage class of the DC power line,dielectric properties of the insulating structure or dielectriccontamination of the insulating structure. However, in most cases, therate of change of the AC component (the first rate of change) is greaterand usually significantly greater, than the rate of change of the DCcomponent (the second rate of change). The DC component is usuallysteady or substantially steady and thus does not substantially changeduring the measurement process. In other words, the rate of change ofthe DC component, namely, the second rate of change is very low. As seenin FIG. 4b , the AC component rapidly ramps up and down and hence the ACcomponent has been described herein as fast-moving or fast-changing. Onthe other hand, the DC component does not change as fast as the ACcomponent or changes at a slow rate as seen in FIG. 4a . Therefore, theDC component has been described as slow-moving or slow-changing.

The waveform separator 12 separates the sensed composite DC current intoits slow-changing or slow-moving DC component and fast-changing orfast-moving AC component. FIGS. 4a and 4b illustrate the nature of theDC and AC components respectively. The AC component may have a waveformwhich is sinusoidal, rectangular, triangular or the like. In oneembodiment, the waveform separator 12 comprises one or more high passand low pass filters forming a filter bank. High pass and low passfilters are of known construction. The filter bank is collectivelyindicated by reference numeral 12 a in FIG. 3.

The AC component is received by the at least one voltage comparator 14that provides a digital signal corresponding to the received ACcomponent. The AC component typically comprises negative and positivecomponents. FIGS. 5a and 5b illustrate the nature of the negative andpositive components contained in the AC component of the composite DCcurrent. Accordingly, in a preferred embodiment, the apparatus 10comprises two voltage comparators, a positive voltage comparator 22 aand a negative voltage comparator 22 b (FIG. 3). The positive voltagecomparator 22 a generates a digital signal representative of thepositive AC components. The negative voltage comparator 22 b generates adigital signal representative of the negative AC components.

In one embodiment, before the AC component is fed to the positive andnegative voltage comparators 22 a and 22 b they may be conditioned.Conditioning may include amplification of the AC component. In apreferred embodiment and as seen in FIG. 3, the apparatus comprises anamplifier 24 for amplifying the AC component.

The DC component may also be conditioned before it is received by theprocessor 16. Conditioning may include filtering, amplification oraveraging or any combination thereof. The various components of suchconditioning circuits are well-known and such circuits are collectivelyindicated by reference numeral 26 in FIGS. 2 and 3.

The processor 16 receives the DC component and the digital signalsrepresentative of the positive and negative AC components for furtherprocessing. Since the output of the conditioning circuit 26 processingthe DC components is an analog signal, such analog signal must bedigitized before it can be processed by the processor 16. Suchdigitization is generally carried out using an analog-to-digitalconverter (ADC). The ADC may be separate or the processor 16 may beequipped with its own built-in ADC.

In one embodiment, the processor 16 receives a digital signalrepresentative of the DC component and the digital signals correspondingto the AC positive and negative components and analyzes these togenerate a resultant leakage current value flowing through theinsulating structure 18. Resultant leakage current calculation iscarried out by the processor 16 using known techniques, for exampleaveraging techniques.

In some embodiments, the apparatus 10 may be used to alert workers ofchanges in the resultant leakage current and/or if the resultant leakagecurrent is within an impermissible range so that the workers may takeimmediate preventive actions to save themselves and/or relatedequipment. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the apparatus 10 furthercomprises a correlation and comparison means 28 for determining acorrelation component or parameter value from the resultant leakagecurrent. Herein, the terms “correlation component” and “parameter value”are used interchangeably. In a preferred embodiment, the correlationcomponent is a peak leakage value or RMS value of the resultant leakagecurrent. The correlation component may be any predetermined quantity ofthe monitored and processed composite DC current, the resultant leakagecurrent. The peak leakage current value may then be compared against athreshold to generate a comparison result signal. The threshold may berepresentative of fault conditions such as an impending flashovercondition. The threshold may be historic values or values derivedthrough experimentation. The comparison result signal may be received bya response means 30 for dissemination of the comparison result signal inone or more forms or a combination of one or more forms. In order to doso, the response means 30 may be associated with one or moredissemination interfaces 32. The comparison signal may be disseminatedin a visual or audio or vibratory form or any combination of such forms,or, for example, other forms of haptic, tactile or sensory feedback. Thedissemination interface 32 may be any known interface capable ofdisseminating data, either locally or remotely, or both.

The correlation and comparison means 28 and response means 30 may bemodules of the processor 16, such as on the same integrated circuitdevice, or they may for example be closely coupled auxiliary circuits orchips.

For easy of portability, in one embodiment most components of theapparatus of FIGS. 2 and 3 are located within a casing or housing 34(FIG. 6) that is configured to be coupled to the insulating structure18. The processor 16 and memory accessible to the processor providingcurrent measurement and processing described herein may be provided inthe housing 34, or such processor may be external to the housing 34 andcoupled to the housing 34 for back and forth data communication. Theprocessor 16 may be part of a computer system, or othermicroprocessor-based system. Although one processor is described,multiple processors may be provided and programmed to enable the leakagecurrent measurement and processing herein, and such processors may bepresent in the housing 34 with the one or more other components of theapparatus 10, or the computer system, or both.

The one or more interfaces 32 for disseminating the comparison resultsignal may be arranged or positioned within and around a surface of thehousing 34.

FIG. 6 is an external view of the apparatus 10 with most of theoperative components enclosed within. As stated above, by enclosing thecomponents of the apparatus 10 within the housing 34, the portability ofapparatus 10 is enhanced. FIG. 6 is one example of how one or moredissemination interfaces 32 may be arranged or positioned within andaround a surface of the housing 34. In this example, the one or moredissemination interfaces include an LCD display, an audio speaker and agraphical display for displaying the resultant leakage current or anypredetermined quantity of the resultant leakage current.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of one embodiment showing operative componentsof a proposed prototype 10 a of the apparatus 10. The prototype 10 aincludes the operative components illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, and suchcorresponding operative components are designated by the same referencenumerals as in FIGS. 2 and 3. Most operative components of the prototype10 a are located in a casing such as housing 34. Composite DC currentleaking through an insulating structure flows into the apparatus 10through a transient voltage protector device 36 which protects allelectrical downstream components from a power surge. The prototype 10 afurther comprises a switch 38 for changing the processor 16 from itsnormal or “run” setting to its calibration setting and vice versa. Thefilter bank 12 a of the waveform separator 12 includes a low pass filter12 a′ and a high pass filter 12″. The low pass and high pass filters areassociated with corresponding amplifiers, 40′ and 40″. The DC componentis filtered out by the low pass filter 40′ and the AC component isfiltered out by the high pass filter 40″. Outputs of the two filters areamplified prior to further processing. The output of amplifier 40″ isfed to positive and negative voltage comparators, 22 a and 22 b, whichin turn generate digital signals corresponding to the positive andnegative components contained in the AC part of the composite DCcurrent. The output of amplifier 40′ (amplified DC component) is ananalog signal. The digital signals corresponding to the AC component andthe analog signal corresponding to the DC component are received by theprocessor 16 for further processing. The processor 16 of the prototype10 a has an in-built ADC 42 which receives the analog signalcorresponding to the DC component and digitizes the same. The inputsignals are processed by the processor 16 to determine a resultantleakage current using methodologies well known in the art. The processor16 of the prototype 10 a is associated with an external memory 44 forstoring information relating to the resultant leakage current and/or itsassociated components. The prototype 10 a also comprises one or moredissemination interfaces arranged around an external surface of thehousing 34. The dissemination interfaces 32 associated with theprototype include an audio speaker and LCD displays. As state above, theinterfaces may be used to alert a worker of changes in resultant leakagecurrent flowing through the insulating structure 18. In the prototype ofFIG. 7, the processor 16 also receives input from a temperature sensor48 and a humidity sensor 50 located in the vicinity of the insulatingstructure for sensing the temperature and humidity of the air around theinsulating structure. Input received from the temperature and humiditysensors may also be displayed on or more of the dissemination interfaces32. The processor 16 includes a serial port to communicate with theperipherals such as the dissemination interfaces 32 and/or inputdevice(s).

The following paragraphs describe arrangement and use of the apparatus10 for measuring leakage current flowing through various forms ofinsulating structures. In these embodiments, most operative componentsof the apparatus 10 are housed within the housing 34. The apparatus 10is generally connected in series between the insulating member 18 andground G in order to measure and process the composite DC currentflowing through the insulating structure 18. As stated above, in someembodiment, the apparatus 10 may be used for real-time monitoring ofcurrent leaking through one or more insulating structures which areelectrically coupled to a high voltage energized conductor.

FIG. 8 depicts the apparatus 10 in an in-use position with an aeriallift device 60 equipped with a bucket 62 for human occupants. The aeriallift device 60 may be mounted to a truck, vehicle, or trailer chassis64, or similar platform, the chassis 64 may or may not have wheels. Whenthe apparatus 10 is in use, a boom 66, which may be a fixed length, orextendable in a telescoping fashion, may be extended such that bucket 62resides beside an energized (i.e. live) high voltage direct currentpower line 68 so that human occupants within the bucket 62 can performmaintenance on, or further construct, the high voltage direct currentpower line 68. When the apparatus 10 is in use, the bucket 62, which maybe constructed with metallic components, is placed at the same potential(i.e. voltage) as the DC power line 68. Similarly, a human occupantwithin the bucket 62 is also placed at the same potential as the DCpower line 68. In order to place the bucket 62 and any human occupantwithin the bucket 62 at the same potential as the DC power line 68, abonding clamp 70 is used. Bonding clamp 70 provides an electrical linkbetween the bucket 62 and the DC power line 68 for the bucket 62 and thehuman occupants to achieve the potential of the DC power line 68. Bucket62 is pivotably attached to the telescoping boom 66 to permit relativemotion between the bucket 62 and the telescoping boom 66. Telescopingboom 66 is an electrically insulating member made from fiberglass, orfiberglass and other non-conductive materials, which may includeplastics and other materials.

Continuing with FIG. 8, mounted to the telescoping boom proximate to thebucket 62 is a corona ring 72. Corona ring 72 may be mounted withinthree meters or within three yards of the junction of boom 66 and thebucket 62, or where most electrically advantageous. At an opposite endof boom 66, proximate a truck chassis 68 or other mounting platform orlowest pivot point of boom 66, an outer collector band 74 and an innercollector band 74 a (seen in FIG. 9) may be mounted to and against, anexterior and an interior, respectively of boom 66. Boom 66 may be hollowand used as a conduit or passageway for components depicted in FIG. 9,such as one or more hydraulic lines 76, electric lines 78, and one ormore fiber optic cables 80. As also depicted in FIG. 9, electric lines78 may traverse through the boom interior or may traverse or run alongsome length of an exterior surface or interior surface of boom 66. At abase of the boom 66, one or more electrical collectors 82 (FIG. 9a ) mayexist for all insulating structures being monitored for current flow.The current sensing circuit 20 may sense the composite DC currentflowing through the one or more collectors for input to the waveformseparator 12. Each of hydraulic lines 76, fiber optic cables 80, andboom 66 are made of a dielectric material and have electrical insulatingqualities. However, as stated above, even dielectric and insulatingmaterials will permit some relative quantity of current to pass, and theapparatus 10 is designed to detect that level of current.

FIG. 9a is a perspective view of how hydraulic lines 76 and fiber opticcables 80 may reside within an interior of the boom 20. Additionally,FIG. 9a shows electrical collectors 82. Collectors 82 are electricallyconductive and may be in the form of a clamp such as the one shown inFIG. 9a surrounding fiber optic cables 80.

FIG. 10 depicts an insulating ladder 84 arranged in contact with theenergized electrical conductor 68 at contact points 86 and 88, and theapparatus 10 is electrically connected to insulating ladder 84. At theopposite end of the insulating ladder 84, a first electricallyconductive clamping ring 90 a surrounds and contacts a first ladder leg84 a, and a second electrically conductive clamping ring 90 b surroundsand contacts a second ladder leg 84 b. A clamp ring jumper wire 92electrically connects to each of first electrically conductive clampingring 90 a and second electrically conductive clamping ring 90 b.Although either electrically conductive clamping ring 90 a or 90 b maybe used, FIG. 10 depicts a lead in wire 94 for conducting current fromeach of first electrically conductive clamping ring 90 a and secondelectrically conductive clamping ring 90 b to the apparatus 10. Thearrangement of FIG. 10 permits the apparatus 10 to detect currentleaking through the insulating ladder 84 and to ground G via ground wireG′.

FIG. 11 depicts another embodiment in which an insulating scaffolding 96is arranged in physical and electrical contact with the energized DCconductor 68, such as with an electrical jumper 98. The apparatus 10 maybe electrically connected to the insulating scaffolding 96 to monitorcurrent leaking through the insulating scaffolding 96. Morespecifically, in a given horizontal plane at some distance from eitheran underlying surface such as ground G upon which the insulatingscaffolding 96 may reside, or at some distance from the energized DCconductor 68, each of vertical posts 96 a passing through suchhorizontal plane are electrically connected with an electricallyconductive wire 98 a or multiple pieces of electrically conductive wire98 a. Electrically conductive wire 98 a may be secured against eachvertical post 96 a by an electrically conductive clamp ring to permit acontinuous electrical loop of electrically conductive wire 98 a. Thus, acontinuous loop from vertical pole to vertical pole around insulatingscaffolding 96 is created. From one of the sections of the electricallyconductive wire 98 a, a lead in wire 99 is connected to create anelectrically conductive link from the electrically conductive wire 98 tothe apparatus 10. The arrangement of FIG. 11 will measure leakagecurrent flowing through the insulating scaffolding and into ground G viathe ground wire G′.

FIG. 12 depicts a first insulating hot stick 100 and a second insulatinghot stick 102 used during replacement of an outdoor insulator 104 on theenergized power line 68, and placement of the apparatus 10 during use ofsuch replacement. A hot stick is a name used by professionals engaged inthe trade of maintaining, constructing and reconstructing energized, orlive, DC power lines, for specific types of insulated poles, which arealso tools, and usually made of fiberglass, or fiberglass and otherinsulating material(s). The insulating materials prevent, for practicalpurposes, electrical current from traveling from an energized power linesuch as DC power line 68 to ground G.

Continuing with FIG. 12, use of the apparatus 10 during a typicalscenario involving replacement of an aged or otherwise compromisedinsulator such as insulator 104 may involve a conductor supportingstructure 106, such as part of a lattice tower or any powerlinesupporting structure that is grounded and thus at the potential ofground G (i.e. in the industry known as ground potential). As part ofthe conductor supporting structure 106, FIG. 12 depicts an approximatelyhorizontal, or horizontal beam 108, with, relative to horizontal beam108, an angled beam 110. Horizontal beam and angled beam are joined byconnective structures 112 to increase strength. With first insulatinghot stick 100 and second insulating hot stick 102 attached to theconductor supporting structure 106, such as to horizontal beam 108,first insulating hot stick 100 and second insulating hot stick 102 hangto the same or approximately the same length as the insulator 104. Firstinsulating hot stick 100 and the second insulating hot stick 102 may beseparated at a specified distance by a limiting bracket 114. Each offirst insulating hot stick 100 and a second insulating hot stick 102 isaffixed to the energized DC power line 68 by clamping or some suitabledevice, and similarly each of the first insulating hot stick 100 and thesecond insulating hot stick 102 is affixed to the horizontal beam 108 byclamping or some suitable device. Limiting bracket 114 may be locatedproximate to the energized DC power line 68. When the first insulatinghot stick 100 and the second insulating hot stick 102 are in place asdepicted in FIG. 12, the insulator 104 may be removed and instead of theconductor supporting structure 108, before removal, bearing the tensileload due to gravity of the energized DC power line 68, each of firstinsulating hot stick 100 and second insulating hot stick 102 bears halfthe tensile load of the energized DC power line 68.

FIG. 12 also depicts the apparatus 10 affixed in some fashion to theconductor supporting structure 108. Additionally, an electricallyconductive jumper 116 located between the first insulating hot stick 100and second insulating hot stick 102, creates an electrical path betweenthe two sticks. Electrically conductive jumper 116 is securely fastenedto each of the first insulating hot stick 100 and second insulating hotstick 102 by an electrically conductive clamp 118 that is consistent toeach junction. From one of electrically conductive clamps 118, anelectrical lead wire 120 permits current leaking through the system toflow to the apparatus 10. A conductive ground lead 122, clamped toconductor supporting structure 106 with a clamp, completes an electricalcurrent path via the conductor supporting structure 106 to ground G.

As stated above, current measurements may be taken or measured at almostany frequency. An average or resultant leakage current may be calculatedafter a predetermined number of measurements, such as after 100 or 1000,or some other quantity, and then stored in a memory which may internalor external to the apparatus 10. The resultant leakage current or somequantity or component of the measured and processed leakage current(herein referred to as correlation component or parameter value) may bedisplayed on the one or more interfaces 32 associated with the apparatus10.

Over time, dielectric performance of insulating structures maydeteriorate. Accordingly, resultant leakage current or somepredetermined quantity or component thereof, may increase from a firstvalue to a second value. As stated above, the apparatus 10 may be usedto monitor and disseminate such trends in leakage current values on areal-time basis so as to alert workers or operators of the increasingintensity of the leakage current flowing through the insulatingstructures.

In one embodiment, resultant leakage current or any component thereofmay be associated with three zones of operation, a safe zone, a cautionzone and a danger zone. In the safe zone, the leakage current is withina permissible range. In the caution zone, the resultant leakage currentis outside the safe zone but is not within an impermissible range.Caution zone values do not necessarily constitute a dangerous situation.In the danger zone, the resultant leakage current is within theimpermissible range. Danger zone is generally indicative of animpending, flashover condition. Danger zone indicates that insulationintegrity has been compromised. As one of skill in the art willunderstand, danger zone limits would be several orders of magnitudebelow the actual flashover threshold of the insulating live linestructure to provide additional warning time and an adequate safetyfactor for the workers to remove themselves from the insulatingstructure and/or take steps to stop or reduce the amount of currentpassing to the ground 50. The threshold for the safe, caution and dangerzones for a DC voltage class or range may be derived from historicvalues representative of fault conditions such as an impending flashovercondition for that class. Safe zone limits will vary based upon the DCvoltage range or precise DC voltage of a power line to which theapparatus is operably coupled to.

In one embodiment, leakage current values in the safe zone (e.g. green)may be graphically displayed by a series of green bars along with thegiven value. Leakage current values may be displayed through coloredlights, a physical graph, or any other graphical display of intensity.In one embodiment, caution (e.g. yellow) and danger zone (e.g. red)leakage current values are also displayed. However, values in thecaution and danger zones may also be accompanied by an audible or visualwarning signal of some type to alert the operator to the presence ofincreasing intensity of the leakage current.

The resultant leakage current values determined by the apparatusdescribed herein may be plotted on a graph. Alternatively, an array ofinformation could be compiled and stored, such as in a database in thememory associated with the apparatus 10. The measurements of current andtheir duration may be stored in the memory as a series of integers (orvalues) over a given time period. The database may include columns ofinformation including, but not limited to, time (e.g. seconds ormicroseconds), amperage reading of the DC composite current (e.g. microamps) at a time interval (e.g. every 1/60 of a second, every 1/100th ofa second, every 1/120th of a second), amperage reading of the resultantleakage current (e.g. micro amps) and average amperage value of theresultant leakage current over a predetermined time period (e.g. everysecond, every ten seconds). As an example, average amperage value of theresultant leakage current for a predetermined number of readings, or anaverage amperage value over a predetermined time period may be displayedon the displays associated with the apparatus 10 for visual inspectionby viewer or user of the apparatus 10. Still yet, instead of displayinga numerical value on a display, a graphical representation maysimultaneously be displayed or instead be displayed. A graphicalrepresentation may be a continuously changing bar graph that graphicallydisplays an amperage value of the resultant leakage current.

In order to optimize usage of the memory, any “old” or past-relevanthistorical recorded and displayed resultant leakage current values maybe deleted from the memory associated with the apparatus in order toprovide the user or worker with newer, more relevant data as to thepresent or instantaneous insulating properties or condition of theinsulating structure 18.

What is claimed is:
 1. A waveform separator system for determining DCleakage current flowing through an insulating structure in a highvoltage direct current power system wherein the DC leakage current is acomposite DC current comprising one or more high magnitude momentaryspikes, and having a DC component and an AC component, the systemcomprising: a waveform separator configured to receive the composite DCcurrent flowing through the insulating structure and to separate thecomposite DC current into corresponding direct current (DC) andalternating current (AC) component wherein the AC component has a firstrate of change, and wherein the DC component has a second rate ofchange, and wherein the first rate of change is greater than the secondrate of change; at least one comparator configured to receive the ACcomponent and produce at least one corresponding digital signal; and aprocessor configured to: (a) receive the at least one correspondingdigital signal and the DC component, (b) analyze the at least onecorresponding digital signal and the DC component, and (c) determine aresultant leakage current flowing through the insulating structure. 2.The system of claim 1 further comprising a current sensing circuitwhich, when operatively coupled to the insulating structure and thewaveform separator, senses the composite DC current flowing through theinsulating structure and feeds a voltage value corresponding to thesensed current to the waveform separator.
 3. The system of claim 2,wherein the current sensing circuit includes one or more shunts or shuntresistors.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the waveform separatorcomprises at least one filter circuit for separating the DC componentfrom the AC component in the sensed DC current.
 5. The system of claim 1further comprising at least one amplifier for amplifying the ACcomponent and the DC component.
 6. The system of claim 5 furthercomprising an averaging circuit to average the slow moving DC componentover time before the DC component is fed to the at least one amplifier.7. The system of claim 1, wherein the DC component is substantiallysteady.
 8. The system of claim 5, wherein the AC component comprises oneor more positive components and one or more negative components andwherein the system further comprises at least one positive voltagecomparator for counting the one or more positive components and at leastone negative voltage comparator for counting the one or more negativecomponents for producing at least one positive digital signalcorresponding to the counted one or more positive components and anegative digital signal corresponding to the counted one or morenegative components.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor isfurther configured to: (a) determine a correlation component from theresultant leakage current, and (b) compare the correlation componentagainst a threshold value and to generate a comparison result signalindicative of a fault if the correlation component exceeds the thresholdvalue.
 10. The system of claim 9 further comprising a response means forreceiving said comparison result signal and disseminating it through atleast one dissemination interface.
 11. The system of claim 9, whereinthe correlation component is a peak value or RMS value of the resultantleakage current.
 12. The system of claim 9, wherein the fault is reduceddielectric performance.
 13. The system of claim 9, wherein the fault isan impending flashover condition.
 14. The system of claim 10, whereinsaid dissemination at least one comprises haptic, tactile, or sensoryinformation.
 15. The system of claim 10, wherein one or more componentsof the apparatus are located in a portable housing.
 16. The system ofclaim 15, wherein the at least one dissemination interface is associatedwith the housing.
 17. The system of claim 16, wherein the at least onedissemination interface is a graphical display configured to indicate atleast the resultant leakage current.
 18. The system of claim 15, whereinthe one or more components include the current sensing circuit, thewaveform separator, the at least one comparator and the processor. 19.The system of claim 15, wherein the one or more components include thecurrent sensing circuit, the waveform separator and the at least onecomparator.
 20. The system of claim 19, wherein the housing furtherincludes a communicator to transfer and receive data to and from theprocessor.
 21. A method for determining DC leakage current flowingthrough an insulating structure in a high voltage direct current powersystem wherein the DC leakage current is a composite DC currentcomprising one or more high magnitude momentary spikes, and having DCcomponents and AC components, the method comprising: (a) separating thecomposite DC current into its slow- moving direct current (DC) componentand fast-moving alternating current (AC) component; (b) analyzing thefast-moving AC component and producing at least one digital signalcorresponding to the fast-moving AC component; and (c) analyzing the atleast one corresponding digital signal and the slow-moving DC componentfor determining a resultant leakage current flowing through theinsulating structure.
 22. The method of claim 21, wherein the step ofseparation is carried out using a waveform separator.
 23. The method ofclaim 21, wherein analysis of the fast-moving AC component is carriedout using at least one comparator.
 24. The method of claim 21, whereinanalysis of the at least one corresponding digital signal and theslow-moving DC component is carried out by a processor.
 25. The methodof claim 21 further comprising receiving the composite DC current from acurrent sensing circuit operatively coupled to the insulating structureand the waveform separator.
 26. A method for determining DC currentleaking through a dielectric material wherein the dielectric material iselectrically coupled to an energized power line conducting DC currentand wherein the DC current leaking through the dielectric material is acomposite DC current comprising one or more high magnitude momentaryspikes, and having a DC component and an AC component, the methodcomprising: (a) separating the composite DC current into its directcurrent (DC) component and alternating current (AC) component; (b)analyzing the AC component and producing at least one digital signalcorresponding to the AC component; and (c) analyzing the at least onecorresponding digital signal and the DC component for determining aresultant DC current leaking through the dielectric material.
 27. Themethod of claim 26 further comprising: (a) determining a correlationcomponent from the resultant leakage current; (b) comparing thecorrelation component to a predetermined threshold value indicative of aflashover current value for the dielectric material; (c) generating acomparison result signal if the correlation component exceeds thethreshold value; and (d) disseminating the comparison result signal. 28.The method of claim 27, wherein the step of dissemination comprisessounding an audio alarm.
 29. The method of claim 27, wherein the step ofdissemination comprises activating a visual alarm.
 30. A processcomprising: (a) providing an energized DC electrical line above anEarthen surface; (b) locating a first end of a substantiallyelectrically insulating member proximate the energized DC electricalline; (c) locating a second end of the substantially electricallyinsulating member proximate the Earthen surface; (d) providing, inseries between the insulating member and the Earthen surface, a DCcurrent meter for measuring a composite DC current leaking through theinsulating member; and (e) determining a resultant leakage currentpassing through the insulating member using the DC current meter. 31.The process of claim 30, wherein the step of determination of theresultant leakage current further comprises: (a) separating thecomposite DC current into its direct current (DC) component andalternating current (AC) component; (b) analyzing the AC component andproducing at least one digital signal corresponding to the AC component;and (c) analyzing the at least one corresponding digital signal and theDC component for determining the resultant leakage current.
 32. Theprocess of claim 31 further comprising: (a) determining a correlationcomponent from the resultant leakage current; (b) comparing thecorrelation component to a predetermined threshold value indicative of aflashover current value for the insulating member; (c) generating acomparison result signal if the correlation component exceeds thethreshold value; and (d) disseminating the comparison result signal. 33.The process of claim 30, wherein: locating a first end of asubstantially electrically insulating member proximate the energized DCelectrical line, further comprises: electrically connecting the firstend of the substantially electrically insulating member to the energizedDC electrical line and the Earthen surface.
 34. The process of claim 30,wherein: locating a second end of a substantially electricallyinsulating member proximate the Earthen surface, further comprises:locating the second end of the substantially electrically insulatingmember proximate on a surface that has Ground potential.